Longfin Betta

About

Found only in the middle Kapuas basin of Indonesian Borneo, Betta enisae is a small wild betta belonging to the closely-knit B. pugnax species complex. A group of fish that can be genuinely tricky to tell apart. The easiest way to identify this one is by the black transverse barring on the tail fin, a trait shared within the group only by B. stigmosa. Like all members of the complex, it carries a brownish body with iridescent green or blue spotting, a relatively large head, and a pointed, often elongated anal fin in mature fish. In the wild it inhabits shallow, shaded forest streams, usually tucked among leaf litter near the banks. Soft, acidic water with plenty of cover. This is not a fish for a busy community setup. It does best alone or alongside genuinely peaceful, similarly-sized companions, since boisterous tankmates will stress it out quickly. Small cyprinids or loaches from comparable habitats can work well. Kept in a pair or small group, it puts on some genuinely interesting social displays. Breeding is rewarding for those who take the time. Males are paternal mouthbrooders, carrying eggs for around ten days before releasing free-swimming fry. A tight-fitting lid is essential during rearing, as the young need access to warm, humid air to develop their labyrinth organs properly.